Fifth-wheel for vehicles



(N Model.) 7 2 sheets sheet 1 WRIGHT. FIFTH WHEEL FOR VBHIGLES.

' PatentedDeofl l, 1897.

No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

S. M. WRIGHT. FIFTH WHEEL FOR VEHICLES.

No. 595,683. Patented Dec. 14,1897.

UNITED STATES PATE T Fries.

SAMUEL M. WRIGHT, OF DENVER, INDIANA.

FIFTH-WHEEL FOR VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,6 83, clated December 14, 1897.

' Application filed June 26, 1897. Serial No. 642,470. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL M. WRIGHT, of Denver, in the county of Miami and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Fifth-Wheels for Vehicles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of,the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to fifth-wheels for Vehicles.

and not placed mainly on the bolts, as is the case with the ordinary forms of devices of this class.

A further object is to provide a fifth-wheel of such improved constructionthat the same can be kept lubricated at all times without exposing the lubricant to dust, which would tend to make it gritty.

Having the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of a fifth-Wheel comprising certain improved features and novel combinations of parts appearing more fully hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of the complete devicegFig. 2, a perspective showing the bearing-plates separated; Fig. 3, a section taken through the fifth-wheel'in the direction of the reach; Fig. 4, a perspective of the couplingbolt and parts carried thereby.

The numeral 1 designates the upper bearing-plate, which is provided with an annular flange 2 and a central oil-recess 3. Above this plate is located the bolster 4 and the spring 5, said parts being connected to the bearing-plate aforesaid by clips or shackles 6. l The reach is shown at 7, the same being secured to the bearing-plate. It will be seen that the opening for the king-bolt is cylindrical for the greater portion of its length, but at its lower end it is formed into a squared portion 8 and is countersunk at 9, so that a shoulder 10 is provided. An oil-hole 11 leads into the oil-recess 3.

The numeral 12 designates a coupling-box open from side to side. Its rear side is provided with a circular opening 13 and its front side Withan opening 14:. A lower bearingplate is shown at 15, the same being adapted to fit against the upper bearing-plate and within the flange of the latter. This lower bearing-plate has a central oil-recess 16 and a hub 17. Theplate has an openinglS. The king-bolt is shown at 20. The greater portion of said bolt is cylindrical, but its lower portion, near the head, is provided with a squared portion 21, adapted to fit in the squared opening 8, and an enlarged circular portion 22, having a shoulder 23 adapted to bear against the shoulder 10. The enlarged cylindrical portion of said bolt passes through the opening in the lower bearing-plate. A nut 2a is located on the upper end of the bolt. The connection thus provided is one of Value, for it will be seenthat while the two bearingplates are kept properly together yet no pinching action can result nor can the bolt become twisted, because the shoulders prevent the longitudinal movement of the bolt and the squared portions preventthe same from turning. There are two braces 25 and 26, both of which are secured to the reach. The brace 25 is secured to the upper end of the king-bolt, and the brace 26 has an opening which fits over a boss 27, projecting from the lower end of the coupling-box. V

The numeral 28 designates a boltwhich passes through the opening and the boss, and on the upper end of said bolt there is located a nut 2'7, which fits in a squared recess 29 in the coupling-box. It will be seen, therefore, that the strain is removed from the bolt and that there is no tendency for said bolt to become loosened. It will be observed that the two oil-recesses of the upper and lower bearing-plates are adapted to hold a sufficient quantity of oil or lubricant introduced in the oil-hole to properly lubricate the said plates, and said lubricant is protected from dust or grit. The front axle is shown at 30, the same consisting of wooden and metal parts,between which is located a metal strip 31, which is sunk in the wooden part. Clips or shackles '32 connect the parts of the axle together.

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bearing-plates, the former being larger than the latter, and said plates are secured to the metal strip 31 on opposite sides of the axle. The plate 33 is located at the front. These plates and the axle fit in between the sides of the coupling-box, said plates bearing against said sides and serving to take up wear.

A coupling-bolt is shown at The numeral 36 designates a leather washer, which is located on this bolt and which is received in the opening 13 and bears against the plate 34.

At 37 there is shown a cap, which is located on the bolt and provided with the reduced portion 38, which fits in the opening 13. The coupling-bolt passes through the bearing or wear plates and 3t and through the axle, the same being provided with a nut 39. It will be seen that the coupling-bolt and the metal cap support the entire weight of the front of the vehicle. Said coupling-bolt pivots the front axle, so that the same can tilt to compensate for unevenness in the ground, and thus relieve the parts of strain.

Slight changes of construction can be resorted to in carrying out my ideas without detract-ing from any of the advantages of the invention, and it is to be understood, therefore, that I reserve the right to make all such variations as come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In afifth-wheel for vehicles, the combination of a bolster, a coupling-box connected thereto, an axle received in said box, bearing-plates connected to the axle on opposite sides thereof and located against the sides of the coupling-box, and a coupling-bolt passing through said coupling-box and the axle and bearing-plates.

2. In a fifth-wheel for vehicles, the combination of a bolster, a coupling-box connected thereto, an axle made in two parts, a separate strip located between the parts of the axle, bearing-plates secured to said strip and located on opposite sides of the axle, fastenin g devices for securing the parts of the axle together, said axle being fitted in the coupling-box and the bearing-plates being located against the sides of the box, and a couplingbolt passing through the axle and the coupling box.

3. In a fifth-wheel for vehicles, the combination with a bolster, of a coupling-box having an opening, a cap fitted in said opening, an axle extending through the coupling-box, and a coupling-bolt passing through the cap and the axle.

4:. In a fifth-wheel for Vehicles, the combination with a bolster, of a coupling-box connected thereto and having a circular opening, a washer and a cap fitted in said opening, an axle extending through the coupling-box, bearing-plates secured to the axle and one of which rests against the washer, and a coupling-bolt passing through the cap, washer and axle.

5. The combination in a fifth-wheel for vehicles, of an upper bearing-plate provided with an annular flange, a coupling-box having a circular bearing adapted to fit within the flange of the upper bearing-plate, a kingbolt whereby the coupling-box and upper bearing-plate are adapted to connect with a vehicle-bolster; the lower part of the coupling-box provided with a vertical recess, an axle having side bearing-plates, and a bolt whereby the axle and bearing-plates are pivotally secured within the coupling-box recess, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL M. WRIGHT. Witnesses:

EARNEST A. KESSLER, ALBERT Fours. 

